New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Jharkhand government to consider opening up of worship places as the lockdown is being eased for other places as well.
The bench led by Justice Arun Mishra was hearing a petition filed by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey who had challenged the 3rd July's Jharkhand HC order which had refused to grant permission to hold annual Shravan Mela at the Baidyanath temple in Deogarh this year in view of COVID 19.
He had also sought opening of Basukinath temple, 40 km away from Deogarh, as the devotees visit this temple as well while visiting Baidyanath temple.
Justice Arun Mishra observed that e darshan (as ordered by HC) is no darshan at all and the devotees shall be allowed to enter the temple in a restricted manner, following social distancing.
Jharkhand informed the court that it has decided to extend lockdown till 31st August, temples and mosques will remain closed due to the rising corona cases.
Pointing out that 30,000 priests are allowed inside the temple, the judges questioned why are the devotees excluded. Further, they observed that when the country easing on lockdowns then temples, churches, mosques shall also be opened.
Jharkhand argued that revoking orders just 2 days prior to the festival will lead to complete chaos.
The top court, though did not put a stay on the HC order or directed for holding of the annual festival, it did say that the state must consider opening places of worship with eased lockdown and now the state will decide about conducting the festival.
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